Release
date: January
10th
2020.
Label: Halfmeltedbrain
Records.
Format: CD/DD
The
Fighter - Tracklisting
Cowboy
Cyborg
The
Count
Members
Mr
Traps - Drums/Vocals/Noise
Mrs
Traps - Guitar/Vocals/Noise
Review
TRAPS
aka The Red And Purple Songs is the new band featuring Chainy and Max
from acclaimed Sludge/Doom Rockers – OHHMS. TRAPS is very different
to OHHMS as this band plays a hybrid style Post-Hardcore/Noise
Rock/Math-Rock with a Progressive Rock edge.
Their
debut EP – The Fighter – is very offbeat and surreal in places
with TRAPS playing music that’s influenced by The
Fall Of Troy, At The Drive-In and The Mas Volta. The band revel in
their progressive and experimental attitude on each of the 3 songs on
offer here. It can be quite confusing in places but that’s down to
the different styles of music TRAPS have included on each of the
individual songs.
Opening
song – Cowboy – Quick musical beats are merged with Trippy
Electronic Sounds before speeding upto a frantic style of Prog
Rock/Metal. The vocals are quite good for the majority of the song
but it’s the insane experimental Post-Hardcore grooves that TRAPS
impressed me the most. I was expecting to hear something that OHHMS
are known for on this release. However, Chainy and Max keep away from
their other band and focus on being TRAPS.
Second
song – Cyborg – is the standout song. As it has a more dynamic
and powerful sound that allows TRAPS to bring more riffs to the
party. The music is still experimental but this is more directed and
focused that offers an intelligent style of Doom/Sludge Metal
weirdness but with a Punk Rock attitude to it all.
The
final song – The Count – opens with a gloomy electronic sound
that brings a sense of Doom to the EP but settles down to a more
settled Post-Hardcore atmosphere. The lyrics and vocals are quite
surreal but offer a sense of harsh reality to TRAPS overall sound.
The
Fighter is a great sounding EP packed full of intelligent sounds and
ideas that deserve multiple repeated listens. I don’t know how
TRAPS would transition to a full length album but I’m quite excited
to hear that if they have future plans for a full length album.
Overall,
The Fighter is one highly original EP that takes no prisoners whilst
offering an exciting style of music that leaves you wanting more.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Chris at FRENCHIE PR for the promo. The Fighter will be available
to buy on CD/DD via Halfmeltedbrain Records from Jan 10th
2020.
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